Weekly Opinion Editorial

NO EXCUSE!
by Steve Fair

Last Monday, at the Oklahoma State Capital, I visited with State Senator Todd Lamb in the Lt. Governor’s office. In less than an hour, Lamb was going to be sworn in as Oklahoma’s sixteenth Lt. Governor. I congratulated him on the occasion and after some pleasantries, Lamb stated in a very serious voice, “Steve, please pray for me and hold me accountable.” I promised him I would do both. Later, as I sat in my seat awaiting the start of the inaugural with snow falling, I thought of how appropriate Lamb’s request was.
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First, praying for our elected officials is a command of scripture. All Christians should pray for those who rule over us. Paul said in 1 Timothy 2, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour"

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America has always been a nation of prayer. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation to Abraham Lincoln, often called the Savior of the Union, proclaiming three fasts, Americans has been asked to pray for their country.

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During the Civil War, Lincoln called the nation to prayer and fasting for national peace and unity. Lincoln's second call on March 30th, 1863, was to repent as a nation through prayer and fasting. Honest Abe's third proclamation was the first Thursday of August 1864. He made a special plea for those in positions of authority to seek God with fasting and prayer.
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Evangelist Billy Graham says we should not only pray for our leaders on a personal level, but also collectively. “We also should come together to pray, for God is pleased when His people are united in prayer,” Graham says.
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Pastor John Piper offers an example of a prayer for Christians for an elected official: "We pray, Lord, that our leader would have a humble demeanor and be open to truth, that he would be granted wisdom beyond his native capacities, and that he would make no snap judgments or knee-jerk reactions but take all factors into account. We pray that policies, procedures and laws would be put in place that would not hinder the gospel but give free reign to its spread." You can word anyway you want, but pray for our elected officials whether they request it or not.

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Second, in a representative form of government, it’s critical we hold our elected officials ‘accountable.’ Because most citizens have jobs and busy lives, they don’t have time to ‘monitor’ every vote an elected official makes. However, with the advent of the Internet, bills moving through the Oklahoma legislative process can be accessed and viewed by concerned citizens through both legislative chamber websites. The State House website is http://www.okhouse.gov/. The State Senate website is http://www.oksenate.gov/. Other organizations like the Oklahoma Family Policy Council http://www.okfamilypc.org/and Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs http://www.ocpathink.org/homepage/have web sites that are excellent sources of information on what is happening at 23rd and Lincoln.
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The Oklahoma legislature opens in early February and will adjourn at the end of May. During the four months, they are in session, legislators will consider a thousand or more bills. Only a few will receive a lot of media attention, but most will impact your life. Regularly monitor the websites listed and call your elected officials to inquire as to what is on the radar screen. Stay informed.

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Oklahoma Republicans campaigned last year on radically reforming Oklahoma government. A record number of GOP candidates were swept into office. Republicans now control every statewide elected office for the first time in state history. It’s clear that Oklahoma voters brought their message. If the newly elected Republican Governor and Republican led legislature execute what they campaigned on- moving Oklahoma to a smaller, more efficient government, they will move the Sooner state to new heights. While we must pray for them, we must also hold them accountable.

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Governor Fallin said in her inaugural address, “It is crystal clear in my mind from my experience as a public official, we do not need more government, what we need is better government – and more efficient and effective government services.”

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If Oklahomans do not get better government-more efficient and effective government- Republicans have no one to blame but ourselves. We can’t blame it on the Democrats. We have no excuse to not produce.